Looking to secure funding for your community initiative, nonprofit, or business idea? Below are a few funding opportunities and programs currently open to Black-led, community-rooted, or small business initiatives across Canada.
Whether you’re a grassroots organizer, a small business owner, or a nonprofit leader, there’s something here for you.
1. Catapult Canada Access Innovation Fund
Hosted by the Rideau Hall Foundation, the Access Innovation Fund provides funding to organizations working to remove barriers to education for youth across Canada.
What’s offered:
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Funding for projects that improve access to learning, especially for equity-deserving youth.
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Multi-year grants available.
Who’s eligible:
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Canadian registered charities and qualified donees.
👉🏾 Apply for The Catapult Canada Access Innovation Fund here
Deadline: Rolling (apply ASAP)
2. Cassels 2025 Grant for Black-Owned Small Businesses
Cassels is offering a $10,000 grant to support one Canadian Black-owned small business with capital to grow.
What’s offered:
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$10,000 cash grant
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Access to legal support and networking
Who’s eligible:
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Black-owned Canadian businesses with less than 50 employees
👉🏾 Apply for The Cassels 2025 Grant here
Deadline: July 1, 2025
3. TELUS Friendly Future Foundation Grants
a) Community Board Grants
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What’s offered: Up to $20,000 for single-year funding (up to $10,000 in Barrie and Central Ontario).
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Focus: Local, grassroots health and education programs supporting youth up to age 29.
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Eligibility: Canadian registered charities and qualified donees.
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Deadline: Rolling; one application per calendar year per Community Board region.
👉🏾 Apply for The TELUS Friendly Future Foundation Grants
4. CIBC Community Investment Funding
CIBC offers funding through three distinct streams:
a) Financial Education & Inclusion
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Focus: Enhancing financial literacy and confidence among individuals.
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Eligibility: Canadian registered charities, not-for-profits, or qualified donees with sustainable funding models and measurable impact.
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Deadline: Applications accepted year-round; reviewed between March and October.
Apply for The CIBC Financial Education Funding
b) Youth Empowerment
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Focus: Programs that support healthy active living, education, enrichment, and assistance for children with disabilities, particularly for those aged 13 and under.
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Eligibility: Organizations aiming to improve access to education and employment outcomes for underserved communities.
Apply for The CIBC Youth Empowerment Funding
c) Health & Wellness
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Focus: Cancer research, treatment, screening, diagnosis, wellness, survivorship, and patient support programs.
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Eligibility: Organizations delivering programs that remove barriers to individuals’ life ambitions by improving cancer outcomes.
Apply for The CIBC Health & Wellness Funding
👉🏾 View funding guidelines
Deadline: Rolling
5. Alterna Savings Community Granting Program
Alterna is offering grants of up to $1,000 for grassroots and community-based initiatives aligned with one or more of their key impact areas:
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Affordable & co-operative housing
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Diversity, equity, and inclusion (with a focus on women, youth, and 2SLGBTQ+ communities)
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Environmental sustainability
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Food insecurity
Who’s eligible:
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Community organizations, nonprofits, grassroots groups
👉🏾 Apply here
Deadline: May 30, 2025
Questions? Email: community.grants@alterna.ca
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